Page 52 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)

The photographs showed not just one summer, but all the summers she’d visited, encompassing years of her childhood.

They showed lazy days, fun adventures and festive celebrations.

She and Rowan were the sole subjects of the pictures, for Frank had been the photographer, and such fun usually occurred when Rowan’s father was away.

Yet nothing could mar the beauty of those childhood summers spent with the best of friends.

She turned to the last page and stopped, smiling softly in sweet nostalgia. It depicted that very last summer. Rowan had grown to a lanky teenager, just hinting at the powerful man he would become. He was down on one knee, smiling up at her as she preened above him.

Ciara closed her eyes as hazy images from long ago drifted back.

Even though summer’s end was imminent, it had been an especially warm day, as if the sun were giving one more brilliant performance before the coolness of autumn.

She would soon return to school and desperately wanted a part in the senior play.

Somehow, she’d convinced Rowan to practice with her, to play the part of adoring prince to her princess.

Frank had shown up just as they reached the scene where he proposed.

Rowan commanded a powerful presence even back then, bearing an expression of serious intent. Young Ciara gazed back at him, an adoring smile on her lips. They may have been practicing, yet there was nothing pretend about her reaction. She had not been that good an actress.

She had already been in love with him.

“Such sweet memories.” Softly she closed the book she would always treasure. She turned to Rowan, only he was no longer standing behind her.

He was down on one knee.

“Oh.” With a soft cry, Ciara brought her hands to her lips.

Rowan reached into his pocket and removed a small cherry wood box.

He opened it to reveal a symbol to represent a lifetime of dreams, a sparkling faceted diamond surrounded by a halo of round emeralds.

It glinted every color in the Irish sun, shining like the love in her heart.

Rowan’s mask had vanished, replaced by a single emotion:

Pure Love.

He took a deep breath… and began. “Ciara, I loved you from the moment I spotted you talking to that horse, insisting she could understand. You are kind, compassionate and so very strong. You do so much for everyone you meet, like how you defended my brother, and how you fought for your horses. You touch countless lives.”

Ciara blinked at the man who always saw the best in her. She would do the same for him. “You do as much with your charity work, and by helping your family and friends. You’ve just always hidden it.”

“I’m no longer hiding.” Strength championed his words. “Most of all my love for you. I am sorry for what happened so many years ago. I kept telling myself it was to protect you, because I couldn’t give you what you deserved. Yet you proved I was nothing like my father.”

Moisture glistened in her vision. “Not even a little,” she whispered.

“You were, and have always been, my first love. I am no longer willing to give up what I love for fear. Even if I have to move across the ocean, I’ll do anything to be with you.

” He stood tall, powerful, unwavering. “Our lives are intertwined by love, driven by destiny. There is nothing I want more than to have a family with you. I love you.”

Ciara’s heart soared.

“I can’t promise I’ll never take charge, because it’s my nature to care for the people I love. But I promise to always respect you and do everything in my power to bring you happiness. No one deserves it more. So…” He breathed deeply. “Ciara O’Connor, will you –”

“Yes!”

He laughed, took her hands. “I didn’t finish.”

“Sorry.” She was practically jumping up and down. Actually, she was jumping up and down.

“Will yo–”

“Yes!”

He stood tall, towering over her with power and strength. He edged closer, capturing her in pure love. “Ciara, will you marry me?”

“Yes.” This time she whispered the word, as emotion robbed her breath.

He gathered her close, spun her around, then put her down and grasped her hand.

It shook only slightly as he slid the ring on her finger, where it fit perfectly.

For a minute she just stared at it, amidst what it meant for their present, future and forever . “I have something to say to you, too.”

“Oh yeah?” He leaned back, but didn’t release her. That was okay. She didn’t want him to.

“You’re an amazing man, who changes the world for the better.

You are passionate and giving, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

And obviously, you’re hotter than a sizzling summer, Cowboy Sexy.

” She flushed. “Thank you for offering to move with me, but it’s unnecessary.

I fell in love with Ireland, just like I fell in love with you.

I want to build the horse recue and our lives and…

” She took his hand. “ Our family. I thought I needed to be completely independent, but that’s not how it works in a relationship.

I love you for exactly who you are, Rowan Byrne, and I never want you to change. ”

Emotion-filled eyes sparkled with adoration. “That’s good, because I’m never letting you go.”

Love surrounded them, warm, all-encompassing and endless. This time was forever . “And I’ll never let you go.”

And for all time, they never did.